Bipartisan Veterans Equal Access Act Gains New House Sponsor

The Veterans Equal Access Act has gained an additional sponsor in the U.S. House of Representatives, gaining its second new sponsor since December. Representative Troy Carter (D-LA) joined H.R. 1384 on January 22, becoming the latest lawmaker to back the proposal and the first to do so since Representative Dina Titus (D-NV) signed on in December. The measure is sponsored by Representative Brian Mast (R-FL), with Representative David Joyce (R-OH) also listed as a cosponsor, giving the bill bipartisan backing from two Democrats and two Republicans.

The legislation would allow physicians employed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to discuss marijuana as a treatment option with veterans living in states where it is legal, and to complete state-required paperwork recommending its use. Current federal policy prohibits VA doctors from issuing such recommendations, even in states where medical marijuana is fully legal.

A nearly identical provision was previously adopted as an amendment to a major military spending bill and approved by wide margins in both the House and Senate. However, despite bipartisan approval in both chambers, the language was ultimately stripped from the final version of the bill during the reconciliation process by congressional leadership.

Supporters of the Veterans Equal Access Act argue that the standalone bill represents another attempt to restore that previously approved policy change and to ensure veterans have the same access to medical marijuana discussions with their VA doctors as they do with private physicians.